Holiday Service Projects

Join Democratic Women of Clifton to benefit local nonprofits.

Holiday service projects will be the focus of the next general meeting of the Democratic Women of Clifton on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. The location is the Clifton Community Hall, 12641 Chapel Rd., Clifton, VA 20124. Following a short meeting, at about 4 p.m. the DWC will reconvene at a local restaurant in Clifton for a holiday celebration. Again this year, the DWC will participate in holiday projects with two local organizations.

*Toy and Coat Drive

For the second year, the DWC is coordinating with Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) to collect toys for 3,000 needy children throughout Northern Virginia. These donated gifts will be the only ones many of the children receive for Christmas. The toy drive is the highlight of the holiday season for both the first responders and the young gift recipients.

In addition to toys, the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will accept monetary donations to purchase coats for area children. Last year, the department distributed nearly 3,000 new coats to more than 50 schools, shelters and nonprofits throughout Fairfax and Alexandria. The organization observes that “giving these kids a new coat builds such great self-esteem” that it helps them do better in school.

With the monetary donations received, FCFRD will purchase new coats from a nonprofit called Operation Warm out of Chadd Ford, for $15 each. Donations of checks or cash are tax deductible, and receipts will be provided for tax purposes (no coats, please).

If you wish to contribute to the toy drive, bring new, unwrapped toys to the Nov. 18 meeting of the DWC. Gift cards from Target or Old Navy are also welcomed for older children, who enjoy selecting their own gifts at these stores. If you can’t make the meeting but want to donate, please contact us to arrange a drop off; gift cards may be mailed to Democratic Women of Clifton, P.O. Box 143, Clifton, VA 20124.

Donations to the coat drive may also be mailed to the DWC, with checks made payable to Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue. The toy and coat distribution event with the FCFRD will be held on Dec. 18, so we would like to receive your donations to both projects by Dec. 10.

*Gift Cards to Benefit Our Daily Bread

Also, the DWC is sponsoring a collection of grocery store gift cards to benefit Our Daily Bread, a Fairfax County nonprofit organization that provides food and assistance to Northern Virginia families experiencing financial hardship. Your gift card donation will be distributed to the families in January. Please bring gift cards of any denomination from any local grocery store or checks payable to Our Daily Bread to the DWC meeting on Nov. 18 or mail them at the address above. We will accept these until Dec. 31.